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“Keep an eye out for Nat? She went back to use the bathroom.”

“Yeah.” Jake walked towards the doorway to the office.

“Guess I don’t have to ask if you’re happy,” Dad said when we got outside.

“Nope.”

“Don’t have to ask if he’s treating you right either. You’re at your own party, surrounded by friends, and he still watched to make sure you were having a good time. Can’t say I see that often.”

“That’s Jake.”

“I find myself wondering, though, are you in this as deep as he is?”

“I love him, Daddy.”

“It’s easy to see that. But there are levels to that. Your mom? Broke my heart. I thought she was it. Prissy.” A smile pulled at his lips. It wasn’t sad, just reminiscent. “Fuck, even back then she’d walk around, looking down her nose at everyone. I took one look at her and knew I wanted to spend a lifetime bringing chaos to that order. I was happy putting in the effort to break down those walls she’d built around herself. But she was determined to keep that distance, and I couldn’t get through.”

If I’d forced that distance with Jake and kept those walls up…

Holy shit, I’d almost turned into my mother.

“She loved me, but it was on a different level,” Dad continued, interrupting my panicked relief that I wasn’t as stubborn as my mom. “How I love Nat? Your mom broke my heart, but Nat wouldshatterit.”

“Nat wouldn’t leave.”

“Thank God. What I’m saying, Piper, is there’s nothing wrong with having fun. So if that’s all you’re doing, make sure you’re both on the same page. Now. ‘Cause it’s clear you love him. But it’s crystal fuckin’ clear you’re it for him.”

“It’s only him.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured. You’ve worked hard and built a good life with good people. I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

When I heard the door open and close, I turned to see Jake and Nat heading our way.

“Brrr. It’s cold.” Nat rubbed her arms and bounced like it was negative digits and not the breezy sixty degrees that it was.

“Told you to grab a coat. Not in California, Valley Girl.”

“If I brought my own then I’d have no reason to steal yours. Which would mean you wouldn’t get that look I love when you see me in your coat.”

Aww. And ick. But totally aww.

“Thanks for coming out early,” I said before they continued sweetly skeeving me out.

“I’m so glad we could.” Nat pulled me close for a hug. “Go enjoy your night. Get wild.”

“I plan on it. Love you, guys.”

“Love you, girly.”

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my dad said, hugging me tight. “Best day of my life, twenty-one years ago. Always been the best kid a dad could ask for.”

“Daddy.” My voice trembled.

“No crying on your birthday. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

I gave Dad and Nat a tear-filled, wobbly smile. Nat returned it with one of her own before they walked towards the cab.